Monday, 18 November 2013

How Do I Submit Writing Work to Comic Publishers?

Another list! This time here's a guide to all the places you need to go if you want to get into the comics industry through a publisher. Of course, you can always go self-published and small press (in fact, it's almost ALWAYS an advantage if you've already had work published, proving that you have the ability to get something to print by yourself) - but how do you send work to the bigger companies?

Here's a list of the various companies, and their current submission policies!

2000AD

The most open submissions policy in comics belongs to 2000AD. If you want to send work to them, it has to be in the form of a 'FutureShocks' story. This is a complete four-page story which features a twist ending. The thinking is that if you can handle a four page story (no small task), then you've got things sorted.

Dark Horse are accepting writing submissions, as long as they're put together in the correct fashion. They first need you to sign an agreement for them - so they're covered legally - along with a synopsis of the story. Follow that up with the actual script for the first issue, and you're off to the races. This mirrors the submissions process used by most literary agencies, so take a look at their guidelines carefully to make sure you hit all their targets here.

Fantagraphics are really only looking at submissions for graphic novels - complete, long-form stories. They won't look at digital submissions, so you should send them a synopsis of the concept and length of your story, backed with at least five pages of high-res artwork. As with any publisher in this list, DO NOT send original art - send scans.

Image won't accept writing samples. They will, however, look at proposals for stories. This means they want a synopsis of the story, along with already drawn pages - Image aren't here to pair you up with a creative team, you'll need to already have one in place.

Find more at http://www.imagecomics.com/about/submissions

Markosia

They will accept writing submissions, but only if accompanied by completed artwork from the story. They're looking for a synopsis attached to five or so pages of art from the story.

Marvel won't accept script submissions. However! They will take your published work and look at it. If you've had a comic published, send it to them as proof that you can get something made, and they'll review it themselves. The definition of 'published work', as defined by CB Cebulski on Twitter, means ANYTHING you've had put into print or digital, in long form. If you self-published it or had it published as small press or a webcomic - it counts.

Will not look at a writing submission unless it is accompanied by at least ten pages of completed artwork. If you have around 10-20 completed pages of art, attach a synopsis/script to the work, and send it across.

Valiant follow the same system as Marvel - if you've previously had work published, you can send that work to them and they'll read it. They won't read pitches or unsolicited submissions - just completed comics.

4 comments:

Joe Quesada claims marvel doesn't accept submission but don't believe it. Make a comic book of 8 pages than make copies of it and send the submission mulitiple times to marvel, eventually they will end up seeing and contacting you if they like your work. If you are a true great artist that can tell a story they will end up contacting you but you must keep sending it until they respond back or until the right person sees your work. Mail it straight to the marvel department to Alex Alonso, Marvel Entertainment, LLC135 W. 50th Street, 7th FloorNew York, NY 10020 with just your name and address but don't not write submission on the envelope so that the mail goes straight to alex alonso. If the wrong person see's the letter its unlikely to get to the right person. Remember copy the original and mail the copies multiple times you'll eventually end up getting a response even if it takes 20 times. That is the only way you'll make it in the comic book world or marvel. A lot of Marvel artist were hired that way.

Joe Quesada claims marvel doesn't accept submission but don't believe it. Make a comic book of 8 pages than make copies of it and send the submission mulitiple times to marvel, eventually they will end up seeing and contacting you if they like your work. If you are a true great artist/writer that can tell a story they will end up contacting you but you must keep sending it until they respond back or until the right person sees your work. Mail it straight to the marvel department to Alex Alonso, Marvel Entertainment, LLC135 W. 50th Street, 7th FloorNew York, NY 10020 with only your name and address but don't not write submission or anything else on the envelope so that the mail goes straight to alex alonso. Use a large white business envelop and print using a printer both your address and theirs on it to look professional. Do not use a colored envelope. If the wrong person see's the letter its unlikely to get to the right person. Remember copy the original and mail the copies multiple times you'll eventually end up getting a response even if it takes 20 times. That is the only way you'll make it in the comic book world or marvel. A lot of Marvel artist were hired that way.

So basically you need to get an artist to draw your pages and than mail it straight to marvel. You could mail your writing their is a likely chance you won't get hired that way.